The Russellville Democrat., 1887-06-22

augurated which differed from tbt governments and nations of tho earth. inasmncli as 1t was to be ana tion and government to he ccmpos led of the whole people, to be manag i ed and by the whole people; and tht intention was that those who served the people as public officers were te act for the whole people.
 Even while the Declaration of In dependence was being read, the struggle for liberty flor Tree speech for free people and a free country was going on, and 1t continued un til liberty throughout the length and breadth of the United Colonies was an established fact
 Old men among us can recall such incidents as these, but they are fast forgetting low it was done or what Fit was for, and the young people are not taught to respect or celebrate the day. Snch a condition of affairs is wrong and unpatriotic.
 There is one portion of our coun try's population that should never cease ta remember that they, above iiaII others, should celebrate the fourth day of July and keep alive the memories which 1t recall Those who gain large fortunes, those who acquire large tracts of land in the country, and who own blocks of build iaos in our cities are not the ones who celebrate, or care to celebrate, that day which gave to the world a nation whose strength lay in her common people. It belongs, there fore, to the ones who have not gain ed the most and fared the best un der our government, to the common people, to kindle once more and keep forever alive the memories of the struggle which dethroned thc king in royal robes and enthroned the sovereign in homcspun-which dis carded and spat upon the sceptre of monarch and honored and exalted the hammes and blow handle of the man of toil.
 l therefore recommend that on next Fourth of July the members of the Order, where there is an Asse m bly, in existence, hold demonstrations and celebration in honor of the birth of peoples government.
 If other socities intend to cele- brate, the Knights can join in; if no other society will celebrate, then the Knights should celebrate by all means. In localities where public demonstration would cause some liberty hating employer to discharge his workman, 1 would advise that no risks be taken. Join Tn with other citizens getting up celebrations. Secure a speaker to deliver short address. Il no speaker can be had, select good reader to read the Dec laration of American Independence. In the llne of march and on your stands and public places uso only one flag, the stars and stripes. Show to the world that no matter where the Knight of Labor citizen was born, he respects and honors the United States flag. Show to the world that we are determined to find out what is wrong in our system of government, and that we are equally as determined to right such wrongs as may exist, by peaceful, legitimate means.
 1 desire, also, that the question of the restoration of the peoples lands to the care of the people be discuss ed. Pass resolutions declaring that the holding of from fifty to sixty millions oi acres of the public do. main by aliens IS sinful and un American. Go luther ard demand that the alien landlord shall let go his hold.
 Pass resolutions declaring that every acre of land acquired by fraud, perjury or chicanery is an acre stolen, and demand that the thief be required to make restitution to the people.
 Pass resolutions never to take vour eyes off the land until one good, plain, simple. honest law shall govern the holding of land, whether the holder be rich or poor, individual or corporation. Make the land for the people, under the peoples laws, the question of the day. It was not for air, sunshine ol water alone that our fathers fought; it was for the land, and we must hold this land free from the shark and speculator, whether native or alien.
 Do not forget to celebrate in becoming, dignified manner the one hundred and eleventh birthday of American Independence, especially as this year is the centennial anni- versary Of the formation of the Con- stitution under which we now live.
 T. V. PowpERLY,
 General Master Workman.